Vegetable Spring Rolls Added to Wishlist!
Let’s be honest for a second.
If you’re scrolling through our new website, you’re probably there for one of two things: the Mo:Mo or the Butter Chicken. We get it. They are the classics for a reason.
But there’s a section of our menu that often gets a confused look from first timers. You scroll past the curries and the tandoori, and suddenly you see “Hakka Noodles,” “Chili Chicken,” and “Manchurian”. If you’ve been skipping this section, you are missing out on some of the best food in Charlottetown.
We aren’t just throwing random pasta on the menu. This is Indo-Chinese cuisine (or “Hakka” food), and if you ask any of our regulars, they’ll tell you it’s actually the secret MVP of our kitchen.
Here is the lowdown on what this food actually is, and why you need to add it to your cart next time you order.
Indo-Chinese food is a massive deal back home. It started when Chinese immigrants settled in India over a century ago. They started cooking their traditional wok dishes using soy sauce and vinegar but they adapted them to the local Indian palate.
What does that mean? It means they added spice.
They took the “wok hei” (that smoky flavor you get from high-heat stir-frying) and smashed it together with Indian aromatics like ginger, garlic, and green chilies.
The result isn’t the sweet-and-sour stuff you might get at a buffet. It’s savory, it’s spicy, it’s salty, and it has a kick that hits you right in the back of the throat. It is the ultimate comfort food.
If you love the spices of India but crave the texture of Chinese takeout, this is literally the perfect middle ground.
If you are paralyzed by choice on which we know happens, don’t stress. You don’t need to guess. Here are the three heavy hitters of our Hakka menu that you should try if you want to switch up your usual Friday night order.
This is usually where people start. If you like spicy wings or General Tso’s, this is your new best friend.
We take boneless chicken, batter it lightly so it’s crispy, and then toss it in a wok with onions, bell peppers, and green chilies. The sauce is soy-based but packed with heat.
You can get it “dry” (which is awesome as an appetizer with a cold beer) or with “gravy” (which you pour over rice). It’s crunchy, sticky, and spicy. It’s impossible to eat just one piece.
3. Hakka Noodles – The Ultimate Craving Killer
Our Hakka Noodles are far from ordinary takeout. Prepared in a blazing hot wok, thin noodles are stir-fried with fresh shredded vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers for bold texture and flavor.
High heat is the secret. Quick wok-tossing locks in crunch while giving the noodles a signature smoky, slightly charred taste. Lightly seasoned with soy sauce and garlic, this dish stays flavorful without feeling heavy—perfect for satisfying cravings any time.
Okay, stick with me here. “Manchurian” sounds mysterious, but it’s actually really simple.
Think of these as spicy vegetable meatballs. We grate up cabbage, carrots, and cauliflower, roll them into balls, and deep fry them until they are golden brown. Then, we dunk them into a thick, dark sauce made with ginger, garlic, and coriander.
The dumplings soak up the sauce like a sponge. When you bite into one, it’s juicy and packed with flavor.
We have hardcore meat-eaters who order this by mistake and then never go back. It’s that good.
The new website makes it super easy to customize this stuff, but here is a tip on how to eat it.
Indo-Chinese food is meant to be messy and shared. Don’t just order one dish for yourself.
Mix it all up. The spicy gravy from the Manchurian mixed with the smoky noodles is a flavor combo you won’t find anywhere else in Charlottetown.
We know that when you’re hungry, you want a safe bet. It’s risky to spend money on a dish you’ve never tried. It’s way easier to just hit “reorder” on the Butter Chicken.
But we built the new website to make it easier for you to browse. We put up high-quality photos so you don’t have to guess what “Manchurian” looks like. We want you to see exactly what you’re getting.
So, next time you are sitting on your couch, scrolling through spiceychef.ca on your phone, scroll down a little further than usual.
Skip the Tandoori for one night. Try the Hakka side of the menu.
It’s spicy, it’s greasy in the best way possible, and it might just become your new favorite order.
Ready to try something new? Head over to the new site, grab some Chili Chicken, and let us know what you think.